Andrew McGrath, Dyson Heppell and Archie Perkins have been confirmed as inclusions for the Dons' round 22 clash with the Suns.

Sunday's game at GMHBA Stadium will mark the first time in 10 weeks McGrath has played for the red and black, after the 23-year-old made a quicker-than-expected recovery from a PCL injury.

Captain Dyson Heppell will bolster the Bombers' backline as he returns from a thumb injury which only curtailed the defender for a week.

Archie Perkins returns to the best 22 after being unused as last week's medical sub.

Midfielder Nik Cox (omitted), Martin Gleeson (omitted) and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (managed) are the three outs for the Dons.

The Bombers will face Gold Coast at GMHBA Stadium on Sunday at 3:20pm, marking the first time in history the club has travelled down the highway to Kardinia Park twice in a season.

ESSENDON'S ROUND 22 LINE-UP

Backs: Jayden Laverde, James Stewart, Tom Cutler
Half-backs: Mason Redman, Jordan Ridley, Nick Hind
Centreline: Andrew McGrath, Zach Merrett, Sam Durham
Half-forwards: Will Snelling, Aaron Francis, Archie Perkins
Forwards: Jake Stringer, Peter Wright, Devon Smith
Followers: Sam Draper, Darcy Parish, Dylan Clarke
Interchange: Dyson Heppell (C), Dylan Shiel, Matt Guelfi, Alec Waterman
Emergencies: Martin Gleeson, Nik Cox, Brayden Ham, Andrew Phillips

In: McGrath, Heppell, Perkins

Out: McDonald-Tipungwuti (managed), Gleeson (omitted), Cox (omitted)

Last week's medical sub: Perkins (not used)